Alright, what's up guys, it's Ley here, and welcome to a brand new FC channel. Today, we're diving into some new tactics and formation talk. I'm going to break down everything you need to know about the 4-1-4-1. You probably haven't seen this one used much, but trust me, it's a defensive beast. The 4-5-1 was popular at the start of the year, and this is basically the same, but with a CDM. Defensively insane, especially after the new patch where defending is quite hard. So, let's get right into it.
Tactics Breakdown: 4-1-4-1
Let's get into the nitty-gritty of the tactics.
- Formation Preset: 4-1-4-1. The build-up play is set to "Unbalanced."
- Defensive Style: "High" for the defensive approach, with a depth of 70. This high depth makes the middle of the pitch super compact. The defensive line steps up every time, and with a CDM, two CMs, and two wingers who also defend, it's tough for your opponent to break through. The field gets really compact, and with only one striker staying up front, the rest of the team sticks together. This creates a compact block in the middle, which is what we're aiming for.
Player Roles: The Engine of the Formation
Now, let's talk about the player roles. These are crucial for making the 4-1-4-1 tick.
- Goalkeeper: "Sweeper Keeper." This gives him the chance to come out and try to save the day if your opponent breaks through in a one-on-one situation.
- Right Back: "Stay Back While Attacking."
- Center Backs: "Stay Back While Attacking." This creates a three-back formation when attacking.
- Left Back: "Wing Back" and "Balanced." The game plan is to overload the left side with Theo Hernandez, who needs to keep running the entire match.
- CDM: "Deep Lying Playmaker."
- Left CM: "Box to Box."
- Right CM: "Playmaker."
- Wingers: "Inside Forward." This gives the striker some support, preventing him from being isolated.
- Striker: "Advanced Forward."
With these roles, the formation will feel like a 4-3-2-1 from previous years. When you don't have the ball, it's a 4-1-4-1, but with the ball, it can look like a 3-4-3 or 4-3-2-1. It's not overly defensive; it's actually quite attacking. When you have the ball, only the three center backs or two center backs and the right back will stay back. You can still use your right back, of course, by triggering him with an L1+X pass or L1.
Defensive Strategy: The Fortress
Let's talk about how to use this formation defensively. The key is to make it tough to break through the middle.
- The CDM covers a lot of ground, working with the left and right CMs.
- When your opponent is passing, it's hard for them to get a breakthrough because you're overloading them in defense. This prevents 2v1, 3v2, or even 4v3 situations, which is what you want.
- On the counterattack, there's not much risk because you're playing with a three-back. You'll always have enough players behind the ball.
- When you intercept, you can build up slowly or go for pace, depending on player positions.
- Use your midfielders (left CM, CDM, and right CM) to pressure your opponent. There are few formations with more midfielders.
Offensive Strategy: Creating Runs and Exploiting Space
Offensively, this formation is all about creating runs.
- Trigger runs by yourself by clicking L1 and pointing at a player or making L1+X passes.
- Overlapping fullbacks are key.
- The left back will run on the left wing every time.
- Time your passes to the runs.
- Give the triangle pass and you'll be in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper with your left back.
- Create triangles on the pitch with your midfielders.
- Once you reach the box, use the mechanics you know to play passes.
- The hardest thing in every formation is to know how to build up with it.
That's everything you need to know about the 4-1-4-1.